overdrive

noun

over·​drive ˈō-vər-ˌdrīv 

1

: an automotive transmission gear that transmits to the drive shaft a speed greater than engine speed

2

: a state of heightened activity

going into rhetorical overdrive

Examples of overdrive in a Sentence

He put the car into overdrive.

His acting career is in overdrive.

The reporters went into overdrive to finish their stories on time.

Recent Examples on the Web

But things go awry when the Gaos unexpectedly fly out to New York for their son’s nuptials, kicking the scheme into overdrive and setting the grand wedding feast in motion. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025

However, in the meantime, a strange man tried to convince her son Noah to get into the car outside of his school, which sent Benson into overdrive. —Alex Ross, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025

Read the full Capricorn Daily Horoscope Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) Life kicks into overdrive! —Usa Today, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2025

As the first-quarter earnings season kicks into overdrive, Piper Sandler shared some stocks that could surpass investors’ expectations. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for overdrive

• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive
• connive
• contrive
• deprive
• derive
• revive
• survive
• dive
• drive

Kids Definition

overdrive

noun

over·​drive ˈō-vər-ˌdrīv 

: a transmission gear in an automobile that allows the drive shaft to operate at a speed greater than that of the engine crankshaft